Friday Food for Thought

My pastor suggested that I view a sermon by Paul Washer earlier this week. Yesterday afternoon I was able to view the video and was astounded by the boldness he had in delivering his message from Matthew 7:13-27. I would encourage you to watch this video. The truths of God's Word are spoken.

Our Trip to Ft. Myers

We traveled to Fort Myers this morning for Angela's six month check up on her torn ACL. After taking David to school, Angela and I enjoyed breakfast at Common Grounds Coffee Shop before heading over to the coast. In spite of an accident on I-75 we arrived an hour prior to our appointment so we stopped at Target to purchase a baby shower gift for our friend Michelle. While we were there we purchased a Christmas wreath for our front door and a few additional ornaments for our tree. With our purchases completed we arrived at the doctor's office right on time. Once in the room they took Angela down for an x-ray of her left leg. This was done so that the physician could see the difference in her growth plate since May of this year. The growth plate has begun to close some, but not enough to do the surgery. Dr. Churchill wants to see her back in 6 months to x-ray the leg again. He told us that normally on girls their growth plates close by the time they are 14. Angela was not happy about the fact that she is going to have to wait another 6 months or more to have the surgery done. She wants to get back involved playing sports. I felt sorry for her as she sat on the table listening to Dr. Churchill explain all this. She had the saddest puppy dog expression. The saddest disappeared minutes after we got back on the road. In fact she has decided to pray that she goes through a growth spurt before she returns in 6 months.

Pictures from Thanksgiving

My brother-in-law, Andy with his grandson, Jake. (Funny how I remember him holding me like that.
Angela with my sister-in-law, Sharon and her grandson Ryan.
David with my nephew ,Chris, and my brother, Robert
My oldest brother, Lamon and his grandson, Ethan

My sister, Fredia, with her grandson Jake

Thanksgiving Weekend

On Wednesday, the kids and I drove up to Tallahassee to spend time with our family. We arrived around 3:00 p.m. and spent the evening visiting with my mom, dad, Fredia and Andy. Later in the evening my sister's youngest son and his family (Tori & Jake) joined us for dinner. We had fun catching up since we haven't seen each other since April when they moved to Tallahassee. They have a beautiful home and Andy loves his new job.

On Thursday morning we woke up early to drive to Havana, Florida so David and Angela could spend time with their dad and his family. I let David drive up to his dad's. The road we took, Meridan Road, is a beautiful canopy road with lots of curves and hills. He did a great job manuvering the curves.

Later in the day, my brother, Robert, came over. The two of us had a great time catching up as well and driving around Tallahasee. He wanted to show me how much Tallahassee has grown since I moved away. It's not often that we get to spend time just the two of us and I enjoyed it. The two of us went back to Havana to pick up David and Angela.

Thursday night, Robert, David, Angela, Mom, Dad and I went to Barnhill's to eat. The rest of our family were eating with their families and weren't able to join us. The food was great and it sure beat having to cook it and clean the kitchen. After dinner we drove over to Robert's apartment to visit and my oldest brother, Lamon and his family joined us. His son, Chris, was here from Savannah with his two children (Ethan and Ryan). After they left we went back to mom's and dad's.

On Friday morning the kids and I left to come home. The Clewiston Tigers were playing in the State Semi Finals against Chaminade- Madonna. We played them last year only to lose 28-6. This year's game was awesome. The Tigers won the game 7-3 and will play at Dolphin's Stadium on Saturday night against the Jacksonville Bolles for the State Championship.

Staff Dinner

On Saturday night, the Hamricks and the Brooks came to our house for dinner. It was our pleasure to have these two families in our home. Working with Brian and Jonathan is a joy, but I love spending time with their wives and children as well. These two women are such godly examples of what it means to be "godly wives". As I spend more time with them even though they are younger they are teaching me without even realizing it. We hope to have them back in our home again soon.

I realized as I was typing this post, I haven't posted any pictures of the Hamrick's since they arrived.

Wayfest

On Saturday, we went to Sound Advice Ampitheatre for Wayfest. We had a wonderful time. We got to hear Matthew West, Barlow Girl, David Crowder Band and Third Day. The other times that I have went I haven't enjoyed all the bands, but this year the line up was awesome. Third Day is still my favorite, however David Crowder was a close runner up.

Homecoming Parade

Today was the Homecoming Parade and this year it was great. In the past the parade has lasted all of five minutes. Thanks to Melissa Whitehead, Parade Coordinator, this year's was longer and actually had floats in it. We have always watched the parade right in front of the Sanctuary as the parade route is in on Ventura Avenue. Here are some pictures from the parade.

David & Chris watching from the Sanctuary Roof

Chief Gutshall

Matt BeattyClewiston High School Varisty Football TeamClewiston High School Cheerleaders

Bubba pulling Camp E-Tu-Makee Float

AYSO Regional 1267 Soccer Shoot Out Winners


Angela & Ryland Polhill before the game
Hannah Stowe, Samuel McDuffie, and Ryland waiting on the Parade
Ryland thinks the Sirens are funny

Cheyenne, Laura, Jenna, Chelsea, Jeri Lynne & Angela

Words to Ponder

On Wednesday night we are continuing to study 1 Peter. We just recently were studying 1 Peter 2:21 - 23. Pastor Jonathan has a love for God's Word that just pours forth in his teaching and because of his love for the Word and his passion for teaching it I have gleamed a better understanding of submitting. Submission is not something that comes natural for myself or others, but it is commanded of us as believers. Pastor Jonathan said "It is only an act of grace that we can endure unjust suffering." It is only through Christ's suffering for me that I can endure suffering. Nobody likes to suffer, I know I don't. Yet, I know that when I do suffer I can simply trust in the sovereign will of God to endure the suffering.

It has always been that when I am trying to grasp onto a certain passage of scripture and throughly understand it that God places before me other things that drive the passage of scripture home. And that was true this morning as I read a post on Girl Talk. This post along with what Pastor Brian said during our study on Wednesday night, it's simply acknowledging and trusting in the sovereign will of our savior, helped to understand how to endure suffering.

Thursday - Decade Day

David had no idea what he was going to wear for Decade Day until last night when several of us suggested that he go as Goliath. The church owns a costume that we have used over the years in musicals and such. So he borrowed it and bought a pair of $5 sandals to complete his outfit. Two of his teachers got in on the act as well.

Wednesday - Nerd Day

Unfortunately David deleted the picture of what he wore for Nerd Day. But it looked something like this. He didn't delete the ones of his friends.

Costume Day - Day 2 of Homecoming Activities

Tuesday's theme was Celebrity/Costume Day. David came up with an off the wall idea to be Quail Man off the cartoon Doug. Thankfully he had a FCA meeting that morning at 7:00 a.m. so when I dropped him off at school he wasn't wearing this:




Prior to taking him to school I told him how glad I was that he had FCA meeting. His reply, "Mom, I've got to pray at the meeting and I am not praying with underwear over my shorts." Laughing I told him, "Son, if you are going to wear that outfit you need to be praying!"

Homecoming Week

It's Homecoming Week at Clewiston High School! David has been enjoying this week's festivities. Each day has had it's own theme. Monday was "Sport's Day". The Powder Puff game was held on Monday night at Cane Field. Of course Powder Puff is where the girls are the football players and the boys are the cheerleaders. The game consisted of 2 - 12 minute quarters with a 3 minute half time. It was freshmen vs. sophmores and the juniors vs. seniors. The sophmores and seniors won. I was surprised to see how well attended a Powder Puff game was. But then after laughing so much at these students, I understood. It was comedy night at Cane Field.

David sporting his jersery with Nina

Powder Puff Court

Halloween Alternative

Last night our church had a Halloween Alternative for the kids. It's always a good time for the kids to enjoy a Christian environment and still have the opportunity to dress up for Halloween. There are always games and candy for them as well. I had the joy of working at the registration table and seeing greeting each child as they came through the doors. Since David and Angela are beyond the age of wanting to dress up for Halloween I still got to enjoy the little ones in all their adorable outfits.

Our friend Heather with her twins, Sarah Kate & Hunter

Pastor Brian & Katherine's son, Nathan

Debbie Thall in her Queen Esther Costume

Hannah Stowe as "The Little Mermaid"

Pastor Jonathan & Lori's daughter, Hannah in her "Pretty b-fly" costume

Birthday Celebration

On Friday I turned 41! David and Angela asked if I felt old, to which I told them no. In fact, I don't feel old just blessed. Blessed that God has given 41 great years with good health and lots of fun. David, Chris, Kathy & I went to Boca Raton on Friday night to watch the Tigers play football. They won their 9 game against Saint Andrews 42-6. Go Tigers!!!!! Following the game we ate at Applebee's with more of our friends (the Walkers).

On Saturday, Bubba took me out to celebrate my birthday since I was gone on Friday night. All he would tell me was that we were going to Fort Myers and to wear something casual with comfortable shoes. We ended up in Downtown Fort Myers where we browsed the antique shops before going to dinner at Harold's on the Bay. Our dinner was delicious. After dinner we walked around taking in Biker Weekend while waiting for our friends Steve and Pearle to join us for Moon Over Buffalo at the Florida Rep Theatre.